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Apple<\/span><\/a> is reportedly set to overtake <\/span>Samsung<\/span><\/a> as the world\u2019s top seller of smartphones and hold that title through 2029.<\/span><\/p>\n Global market research firm <\/span>Counterpoint Research<\/span><\/a> made these forecasts in a Wednesday (Nov. 26) <\/span>press release<\/span><\/a>, adding that Samsung has been the top seller of smartphones since 2012, when it surpassed Apple.<\/span><\/p>\n Counterpoint attributed Apple\u2019s gains to the popularity of its new <\/span>iPhone 17<\/span><\/a> series. During the third quarter, the company\u2019s smartphones posted 9% year-over-year growth in shipments.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBeyond the highly positive market reception for the iPhone 17 series, the key driver behind the upgraded shipment outlook lies in the replacement cycle reaching its inflection point,\u201d Counterpoint Senior Analyst <\/span>Yang Wang<\/span><\/a> said in the release. \u201cConsumers who purchased smartphones during the COVID-19 boom are now entering their upgrade phase.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In addition, the users of the 358 million second-hand iPhones <\/span>that <\/span>were<\/span> sold<\/span> between 2023 and the second quarter of 2025 are likely to upgrade to a new iPhone in the coming years, which is <\/span>likely<\/span> to keep iPhone shipments growing, Wang said in the release.<\/span><\/p>\n Apple\u2019s momentum is also likely to be helped by the launch of the second model in its more affordable \u201ce\u201d series in the first half of 2026, its first foldable iPhone by the end of 2026, and its first flip iPhone by late 2027, according to the release.<\/span><\/p>\n Advertisement: Scroll to Continue<\/p>\n<\/div>\n While the delay in <\/span>Apple Intelligence<\/span><\/a> and a new <\/span>Siri<\/span><\/a> \u201chas not been a detriment to iPhone sales,\u201d the upcoming launch of those features is expected to provide additional incentive for consumers to upgrade their phones, per the release.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cGiven an increasing preference for the iOS ecosystem, compatibility between devices and a substantial number of older models within Apple\u2019s installed base due for renewal, Apple will retain the lead over other smartphone OEMs through the end of the decade,\u201d the release said.<\/span><\/p>\n Apple debuted the first model of its lower-cost \u201ce\u201d series <\/span>smartphone<\/span><\/a>, the iPhone 16e, in February. The company said that model, starting at $599, would bring more customers to Apple.<\/span><\/p>\n